Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been rated at 10 percent since January 31, 2006. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion was limited to 70 degrees for forward flexion and 25 degrees for extension.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his claim of entitlement to service connection for ventral and umbilical hernias. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities have been denied. The RO has assigned a 10% rating for each of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbosacral strain was granted, and the effective date for service connection was set at September 26, 2006. The earlier effective date request for prior to September 26, 2000, for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, and thus a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for action tremor (claimed as neurological condition causing uncontrollable shaking) has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to the potential change in his condition since his last VA examination, as well as the submission of new evidence regarding GERD.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, status post myocardial infarction and bypass surgery, as secondary to degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, was denied.,Service connection for hypertension, as secondary to degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, is granted.,Service connection for renal dysfunction, as secondary to degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow has been withdrawn. The remaining claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, left knee, and diabetes mellitus are addressed.

The Veteran's hyperparathyroidism rating was restored from noncompensable to 60 percent effective August 1, 2011. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in October 2007. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep disorder were not established, while service connection for a back disorder was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claim for an increased evaluation for a low back disability.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and dextroscoliosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine, right hip, and right knee arthroscopy have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia are pending further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service or his service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including the aggravation of his existing low back disability, is being remanded due to the need to obtain a medical opinion from Dr. Nagalla.

The Veteran's degenerative bone and disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis was granted a 40 percent rating effective November 1, 2009.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The Board has remanded this claim due to inadequate previous VA examination opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is less likely than not incurred in or caused by his period of service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.